DIY wheel chains for UAZ. We make snow chains with our own hands. What is better - chains or anti-skid bracelets?

Frequently travel by car in winter time may turn around unpleasant consequences for drivers, as a result of which they have to call a tow for help. Unpleasant weather conditions such as snow, ice and rain reduce the vehicle's permeability. Special equipment called snow chains is provided especially for snowy sections of the routes. When there is an obstacle ahead in the form of a section of snow-covered road, then chains placed on the wheels will help to increase the efficiency of overcoming such a distance. Such products can be bought at any auto store, but not every driver can afford their cost. There is only one way out - to make snow chains with your own hands.

Purpose of snow chains

The cost of high-quality snow chains starts from 5 thousand rubles. Moreover, this does not require special knowledge and experience, since if you have the instructions specified in the material, you can make the products yourself.

Snow chains (lugs) are products that are put on the drive wheels, increasing the maneuverability of the vehicle. By installing such products on wheels, the driver receives the following benefits:

  1. High cross-country ability on snowy roads.
  2. Overcoming ascents and descents on sections of highways in icy conditions with a low probability of loss of control.
  3. Improving the quality of driving in snowy and icy areas road surface.
  4. Improving the vehicle's propulsion properties when driving through muddy sections of the road.

It is important! Snow chains are installed on wheels only when it is necessary to overcome a difficult section of the road. It is not recommended to use them constantly, as this negatively affects the vehicle.

The negative impact is due to the following factors:

  1. Increased load on the steering mechanism, as well as transmission elements.
  2. Inability to move quickly.
  3. Increased tire wear.
  4. Lack of comfort.
  5. The occurrence of extraneous noise.
  6. Negative impact on suspension elements.

In addition to this, it is prohibited to drive a car with hooks on asphalt, as this will contribute to the destruction of the coating. The products in question should always be in the trunk of the car in order to be able to use them if necessary. This applies not only to crossovers and SUVs, but also to passenger single-wheel drive vehicles.

Varieties and how they differ

Many drivers, having become familiar with the disadvantages of lugs, make a negative decision about purchasing or manufacturing them. However, sooner or later a situation comes when the presence of chains will not hurt. Grunts are divided into several types. Main distinctive parameters are: the material of manufacture and the geometric pattern of the chain product on the tire.

This is interesting! The above parameters have corresponding effects on the vehicle and its off-road qualities when moving.

Depending on the material of manufacture, lugs are divided into the following types:

  1. Tough.
  2. Soft.

Rigid lugs

Rigid types include products made from the following types of metals: titanium, steel, aluminum. The strength of the product depends not only on the material, but also on the thickness of the links. How larger size s links, the higher the vehicle’s cross-country ability. However, the indicators of negative impact on the car are also higher.

On the one hand, thick chains increase the vehicle’s maneuverability, on the other hand, they negatively affect the suspension and steering rack

The disadvantage of rigid products is high rate noise effect, as well as accelerated tire wear. On chains of this type you cannot reach speeds higher than 40 km/h. In addition, the massiveness and heaviness of the chains negatively affect the vehicle. Not all types of passenger cars can use rigid chains due to the small space between the wheel arches.

Soft lugs

Soft lugs are made from non-metallic materials, such as rubber, polyurethane and even plastic. To increase the strength of products, a method such as reinforcement is used. Soft versions of lugs for cars are more gentle, as they contribute less to rubber wear, and they are also almost silent. A car on such lugs can develop speed mode up to 80 km/h, while providing high-quality traction with the road surface.

Soft chains can hardly be called “chains” in the literal sense of the word, but when driving around the city they do just as good a job

Like hard chains, soft lugs have disadvantages that are clearly manifested when moving on ice. Soft chains perform well when moving around the city, without having a negative impact on the road surface. However, they are not able to ensure effective passage through snowy areas and mud, so in such situations only rigid chains should be used.

Varieties of lugs according to geometric pattern

Depending on the geometry of the pattern, there are three types of snow chains:

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we will consider them in detail.

The “ladder” is a base in the form of longitudinally arranged branches. These branches are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the wheel. To secure the chain on the wheel, the appropriate type of locks are used. Externally, this type of lug resembles a ladder, which is where the name comes from.

This lug option is one of the most popular, effective and in demand. Among the disadvantages of this type of chain it is worth noting:

  • parallel arrangement of chains on the wheel, so the car will dig in when overcoming snowy or soil areas;
  • low lateral stability, which is also due to the parallel arrangement of the chain branches;

Despite the high raking properties, ladder-type chains are practically useless on snowy ground

It is recommended to use chains of this type only when it is necessary to overcome a risky section of the route. This option is one of the cheapest, so when the need arises, most drivers prefer this option without delving into its features.

The diamond lug design is a modernized "Ladder" design. For this purpose, there are longitudinal branches that form a diamond-shaped pattern, excluding all negative factors, which are typical for “Lesenka”.

The geometric shape in the form of a diamond is intended for the use of lugs when it is necessary to overcome a snowy or swampy area. The diamond shape is shown in the photo below.

Diamond-shaped chains have increased strength and high performance clutch

The diamond-shaped shape of snow chains is popular among SUVs and crossovers, since this type of pattern on the lug increases the vehicle's cross-country ability several times. This is especially true for snow-covered and icy sections of roads.

An analogue of a rhombus are “honeycombs”, which have transverse branches similar to a rhombus, but are additionally connected by straight connectors. Diamond and honeycomb are improved types of lugs, when used, the products come into constant contact with the road surface. This is a big plus for both rubber and transmission, so when making lugs it is recommended to pay attention to the last two models.

“Honeycombs” provide constant contact with the road, therefore giving the car high level lateral stability

It is also worth noting that when purchasing snow chains, you need to consider their size. The lugs produced in production are divided not only by size for wheels, but also depending on the type of car.

Snow chains and bracelets: which is better?

Analogues of chains for cars are bracelets, which are a pair of pieces of chains fixed on the wheels with belts. The chain sits on top of the bar and the belt sits in the hole between the rim. In this case, the bracelet, unlike the chain, is firmly tightened on the bar, which allows the chain to be located in one place.

To increase efficiency, it is recommended to attach at least three anti-skid bracelets to one wheel

Typically, three bracelets are installed on one wheel, which is enough to reach a hard surface, creating friction and pushing away the car. Unlike chains, bracelets have the following advantages:

  1. Speed ​​and ease of installation. If it is recommended to install chains only before crossing a snowy or marshy area, then the bracelet can be installed even when the car is stuck.
  2. Compact, as they do not take up much space in the trunk, unlike chains.
  3. No need to jack up the wheel.
  4. Versatility. While chains are designed for a specific wheel diameter, bracelets are suitable for any wheel size.
  5. Unlike chains, bracelets are several times cheaper.
  6. Long service life.

Like chains, bracelets are divided into hard and soft. Some of the cheapest options for bracelets are plastic products. They are suitable for all types of cars: from small cars to SUVs, so every driver can afford them.

Bracelets, like chains, are divided into hard and soft

How else do chains differ from bracelets? Numerous observations of drivers show that the chains have better adhesion to the road surface, which has a positive effect on cross-country ability. Chains can be used to overcome snowy and icy areas until they are finished. Bracelets can only be used for short-term use up to 5-10 km.

It is important! If one link on the chain breaks, this poses a threat to the car body. Damage may occur paint coating, which ultimately contributes to the formation of a corrosion site.

When you know what chains and bracelets are, you can conclude:

  1. If you are planning a long road through swampy, snowy and icy areas, then it is recommended to use chains.
  2. Bracelets are used exclusively when rare trips around the city or outside of it are planned in bad weather. Even if during a trip you forget to put on a bracelet, you can do this at any time, even if the car gets stuck.

Making snow chains: sequence of actions

Many car enthusiasts value their work, so they resort to solving the problem of lack of lugs on their own.

Required tools and equipment

Before carrying out the relevant work, you must first make sure that you have the appropriate materials and tools. You can watch the process of making snow chains on video, but the disadvantage of videos is the lack of information about the necessary equipment.

To make a simple “Ladder” type chain, you will need the following materials:

  1. Steel chain. The thickness of the reinforcement must be at least 5 mm.
  2. Carabiners with a coupling and thread. Products with latches are not suitable for making lugs.
  3. Chain tension device.
  4. Bolts, nuts and washers.
  5. Hooks.

For the manufacture of snow chains, carabiners with a coupling and thread are required

The main material is a chain, the length of which for two middle wheels with a diameter of R15 must be at least 15 meters. Buying a chain separately and making a lug from it yourself is much cheaper than purchasing a finished product.

To make lugs, you will also need a set of tools:

  • Vise;
  • Grinder with a circle for metal;
  • Roulette;
  • Hammer;
  • Wrenches for tightening bolts and nuts.

As you can see, the supply of materials and tools is insignificant, so after preparation, you can begin making snow chains.

Step-by-step instruction

The manufacturing procedure involves performing the following steps:

  1. Measuring the circumference of a tire. This is necessary in order to make two rings from a chain of the appropriate diameter. There's one here important point: The length should be such that the chain lies at half the width of the bar, as shown in the photo below.

    To determine the length of the chain, it is necessary to close the chain at the imaginary center of the wheel

  2. The required length of chain is cut, after which the chain section is connected using threaded carabiners. A second section of chain is prepared of a similar length.
  3. Manufacturing of cross links. Using a tape measure, measurements are taken, after which a decision is made on the required number of links. The greater the number of such links, the better cross-country ability, but this will also require a larger chain length. The number of links is also determined depending on the wheel size. Their optimal quantity is 8 pieces.

    To determine the width of the cross links, you need to take measurements using a tape measure

  4. All links must be the same size. A carabiner must be attached to both ends of the links. Instead of carabiners, you can use bolts, nuts and washers.

    If there are no carabiners, the links can be secured with bolts, nuts and washers

  5. The length of the links should be such that the chain on the wheel is well tensioned. If the length is longer, they may fly off.
  6. When required amount The links will be ready, you can start assembling. Assembly must be done so that each link is located at the same distance from the previous one.

    To use chains effectively, the distance between adjacent links should be approximately the same

  7. Once the product is assembled, you can try it on the wheel. To put snow chains on a wheel, you will need metal springs or rubber. The springs can be terminated with hooks to facilitate installation of the product.

    To simplify the procedure for installing chains, elastic bands with hooks at the ends are used

  8. Instead of springs and rubber, other elastic materials can be used as tensioners. The main condition is that the products must securely fix the snow chain on the wheel. The result is a product of the following type:

If you follow the instructions correctly, you should get the following circuit design

This homemade device It does not take up much space in the trunk, and its production will take no more than 2 hours. By analogy, a chain is made for the second wheel. For all-wheel drive SUVs Chains must be placed on all wheels. On single-wheel drive vehicles, the chains are located exclusively on the drive wheels.

Features of installation on a car

Making chains is only half the battle. Now you need to install them correctly on the car. There are several ways to do this. The first of them involves jacking up the car. To do this, the driver should perform the following manipulations:

  1. Before an obstacle, you need to stop on a hard surface, then set the car in first gear and squeeze the handbrake;
  2. Using a jack, you need to hang up the part of the car on which you plan to install the chain;
  3. As soon as the wheel is hung, you should begin installing the lug;
  4. This process usually takes about 10-15 minutes for one wheel. In this case, you need to make sure that the chain is securely fastened.

The product is installed in the same way on the second side and, if necessary, for all four wheels. The second option involves installing a chain without lifting the wheels:

  1. You need to stop, and then place chains on both sides in front of the wheels.
  2. Drive the chains to the middle of their size.
  3. Fasten the product with inside hook or carabiner.
  4. Straighten each link, then connect the tension adjuster.

If you don't have a jack, you may run over chains lying on the ground.

This option seems simple, but in reality it is not. After installing the chain on the wheel, you need to drive a few meters, and then adjust the tension. Then you can storm the obstacles.

Snow chain test

The manufactured device must be tested in action to ensure its reliability and effectiveness. It is worth remembering that the effectiveness of the product depends not only on the number of links available, but also on the size of the chain used. The larger the chain size, the higher the vehicle's cross-country ability.

To test your snow chain, all you have to do is wait for bad weather and then rush to an area where there is no traffic. After installing the chain on the drive wheels, it is necessary to overcome various obstacles in the form of snow slides, icy sections of the road surface, and swamps. After overcoming each obstacle, it is necessary to check the location of the product on the wheels.

It is important! During testing, damage to chain links may occur, so be sure to regularly check their condition.

If after testing the results are pleasing to the eye, then you can try to overcome obstacles without chains on the wheels. The result is sure to amaze, and snow chains will become an indispensable attribute in the trunk of your car.

As a conclusion, it should be noted that snow chains are not installed so that the car stands out on the road. In addition to improved cross-country ability, the chains ensure the safety of the driver and passengers on the road in negative conditions. weather conditions. With the presence of such devices on the wheels of your car, you have a chance to overcome an obstacle or escape from a snow drift.

Required: a chain with welded (soldered - less strong) links with a link rod thickness of 5 mm, a bunch of bolts, nuts and washers, an angle grinder. The dimensions and number of blanks depend on the dimensions of the tire used.

For homemade snow chains, the “ladder” design is best suited; it is the simplest to implement and quite reliable. The manufacturing process is quite simple:

  1. Cut the chain into blanks using a grinder.
  2. Secure the transverse elements of the chain to the 6-8th link of the longitudinal chain (The more transverse bars there are, the better the vehicle's cross-country ability will be). The chains can be connected using bolts and washers, carabiners or welding.
  3. For ease of installation, you can install a tension device on one end of the chain (pictured No. 4), and a hook on the other (pictured No. 5).

Homemade wheel chains will cost the same amount (about 1,500 rubles) as buying ready-made snow chains. The difference will be in the quality of materials; as a rule, ready-made chains are less reliable.

Video on how to put on snow chains

There are several ways to put chains on wheels. All methods can be divided into two types: with and without a jack. If you decide to use a jack, then do not forget to secure the car well with stops. After lifting the wheel, the chain is evenly tensioned and the locks snap into place. This method is suitable when the car is already stuck and cannot move.

In another case, the chains are put on in advance without a jack, immediately before going off-road. The chains must be placed in front of the wheels on a flat surface. We drive the wheels into the middle of the chain, then when tensioning, the chain lock will be located in a convenient place - on top of the wheel. If it is not possible to drive over both chains at the same time, then the installation can be performed one by one.
To more conveniently tension the chains on the drive wheels of the car, you can use a block.
After installing the chains on the wheels, you need to slowly drive 50 meters so that the snow chains are evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the tire. Also make sure that the chains do not touch body parts or brake system.
By the way, a metal or rubber cable can be used as an alternative to snow chains. You can simply wrap the tire with a cable through the holes in wheel rim. However, this option can only be used with drum brakes, otherwise the cable may damage the brake system components. Let us remind you that you can also familiarize yourself with

Sometimes it happens that the vehicle’s capabilities are not enough to overcome a certain section of the route. This could be a steep icy slope, deep mud, or a stretch of road covered in snow. In this situation, plastic bracelets or snow chains can help out. Even regular tire, designed for driving exclusively on asphalt, with their help acquires impressive off-road characteristics.

By putting such bracelets on the wheels, the driver receives good maneuverability V deep snow, improved grip properties and, therefore, controllability on ice, more ample opportunities to overcome muddy areas. Many fans of off-road travel post their photos and videos on thematic forums, where you can see firsthand how a car is transformed when shod with snow chains.

Of course, snow chains also have certain disadvantages that limit their use.

  1. First of all, it must be taken into account that the suspension and steering are exposed increased loads leading to increased wear. The steering rack suffers especially badly if the bracelets are mounted on the front wheels.
  2. The second important factor is severe wear of the tire and a significant reduction in its service life.
  3. The gearbox suffers, although to a lesser extent.
  4. Movement speed is limited to 50 km/h.
  5. Don't forget about acoustic comfort - chains make a lot of noise.

There is also a more gentle option for increasing the vehicle's cross-country ability - plastic or rubber chains anti-slip. Their off-road qualities are somewhat worse, but the impact on tires, suspension and gearbox is not so destructive, and you can drive at speeds of up to 90 km/h.

Installation of snow chains

Wheel snow chains are conventionally divided into hard and soft. Both of them are two longitudinal cables or chains stretched around the circumference of the wheel, between which, in the first case, transverse chains are stretched, and in the second - rubber or plastic lugs.

The crossbars are arranged either as a ladder, or in the form of rhombuses or honeycombs. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. The “ladder” has better rowing abilities, so it is preferable to use it to overcome muddy areas. At the same time, a wheel “shod” with such snow chains is prone to digging in, so you only need to drive with them “pull-in”. The driver also faces other dangers, namely poor lateral stability of the car, very rapid wear tires and severe shock loads on the gearbox and steering.

Wheel snow chains with a “honeycomb” pattern cause much less damage to vehicle components, and tires with them will also last much longer. Unlike “ladders”, such bracelets provide good lateral stability machine and constant contact with the surface.

Which snow chains are better?

It is impossible to say unequivocally which snow chains are better. Each variety is better suited for certain conditions, and choose one universal option will not work.
Thus, rigid chains are preferable to use in conditions complete off-road. Thanks to their more pronounced rowing abilities, they allow you to overcome difficult areas with less difficulty.

Soft rubber or plastic bracelets are more suitable for those who do not venture off-road, but are periodically forced to overcome difficult places. The advantage of this option is that there is no need to remove the plastic bracelets immediately after the car has passed the problematic section - you can move on with enough high speed, without the risk of damaging the tires, transmission or steering.

If the driver decides to choose rigid chains, he should pay attention to the size and cross-section of their links. The larger they are, the better the rowing ability of the chains, and the more wear the tires, gearbox and steering will wear out. Square links also provide better rowing performance.

DIY snow chains

Because the cost good set quite high, many drivers, wanting to save money, prefer to make snow chains with their own hands. This process is not very complicated, and everything you need can be found in any hardware store. Homemade chains will cost several times less, while their main qualities are no worse than those of branded products from stores. There are many tutorials on the Internet with detailed photos

and a video of how to make such a device with your own hands. The easiest way is to make a “ladder” with your own hands. To do this, two identical sections of chain are measured so that their length is slightly less than the circumference of the wheel. Between them, transverse sections are attached at equal intervals using S-shaped hooks or rings equal length

. Their length should be slightly larger than the width of the tire. The ends of the longitudinal sections are connected to each other using carabiners. In the middle of each longitudinal chain you need to secure stretching device , which at the other end will be attached to the carabiner using a hook. With this device you can securely fasten homemade chains

anti-slip on wheels.

Making chains with a diamond-shaped pattern with your own hands is somewhat more difficult, although this task can be accomplished, especially if you use photo or video instructions from more experienced car owners.

Installation of snow chains on wheels

The second method is faster, but requires certain skills. First, you need to lay out the chains or bracelets on the ground, carefully straightening them, and then drive over them so that about 30 cm remains to the end. After this, the long part of the chain is put on the wheel. On the inside, the chain is fastened with a hook, all the links are straightened, then the outer part is also fastened, and the chain is tightened with an adjusting cable.

Before you go on an off-road assault, you need to drive 30-50 meters and tighten the chains again. This will extend the life of the tires. It should be noted that there is no need to put chains or plastic bracelets on all wheels unless the vehicle is four-wheel drive. For regular car It is enough that the chains are only on the drive wheels.

Winter wheel tuning

Snow chains are a type of removable tire tread that regular wheel for the highway it turns into rubber with improved cross-country ability. From a design point of view, wheel chains are a connected wire with reinforcement that evenly covers the entire circumference of the tire. Such chains include two longitudinal cables located on the circumference of the wheel, inside and outside. To connect them together, transverse elements or special “lugs” made of reinforced rubber are used.

The use of snow chains can significantly increase the cross-country ability of a vehicle by increasing the traction characteristics of tires. This is especially true when driving on surfaces such as ice, mud, loose or wet snow etc. For example, when traveling outside the city, the first 100 km of the route may lie along ordinary road, covered with asphalt, while then you need to turn onto a dirt track, which is an “impassable” off-road.

In this case, they put anti-slip chains on the wheels and continue on their way. Otherwise, the risk of getting stuck in impassable mud increases significantly, as a result of which you will have to look for a tractor or other vehicle to tow the car. In addition, snow chains greatly facilitate the passage of such areas as steep slopes covered with ice, which are quite difficult to overcome even with studded tires.

Types of wheel chains

Different types of protective circuits

There are two main types of snow chains: soft and hard. In soft chains, rubber “lugs” act as cross members, while hard chains are connected using link elements. In addition, there are two types of chain patterns: “ladder” and “diamond” (another name is “honeycomb”). In the case of a “ladder” pattern, the connections between the longitudinal cables are made in the form of straight lines located transversely, similar to a rope ladder. The connections in diamond or honeycomb patterned chains are made diagonally, resulting in an interlocking structure.

Snow chains are also classified according to the following criteria:

  • size;
  • the shape of the links or “lugs”;
  • material of manufacture: steel, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass with reinforcement and so on.

In some cases, additional reinforcement of wheel chain structures is performed using metal spikes. It is quite difficult to unequivocally answer the question of which type of chains should be preferred, since individual characteristics largely depend on the planned operating conditions. In particular, hard chains are better suited than soft chains for heavy off-road conditions such as loose snow or mud.

At the same time, certain limitations are associated with rigid structures, since at speeds exceeding 40 km/h there is a risk of damage to the transmission. In the case of soft snow chains, which are optimally suited for icy or slightly muddy road sections, you can accelerate to 80 km/h. At the same time, rubber wear is significantly reduced compared to rigid chains.

The situation is similar with the size of chains: increasing the links increases cross-country ability, but at the same time the weight of the structure also increases, and vehicle movement on flat sections of the road becomes more difficult and unpleasant. In addition, the transmission is more heavily loaded and tire wear accelerates.

Self-production

Everything you need to make an accessory

It also happens that you need to drive off-road, but you don’t have a ready-made snow chain at hand. In such a situation, you can try to make snow chains with your own hands, using available tools and materials. To do this you will need the following parts:

  • tension devices;
  • chain with a wire diameter of 4-5 mm;
  • carabiners with a diameter of 5 mm;
  • hooks

We cut the chain into pieces of a certain size. To make the longitudinal sections, you will need four pieces, each with 83 links. The transverse sections will be made from sixteen 13-link pieces. The first transverse section is attached to the sixth link of the longitudinal chain, the last - to the twelfth. The remaining transverse chains are secured at intervals of 10 links. Hooks or rings are used to connect transverse and longitudinal links. After the fourth transverse chain, a five-link segment is attached to one side. Carabiners are installed at the ends of the links located lengthwise. The tension device is placed on the fixed end of the carabiner, the hook on the other. At this point, the chain can be considered ready and suitable for testing on the wheels of a UAZ vehicle.

Often, motorists make snow chains for their wheels with their own hands. This is necessary to ensure stable movement on bad road. Such products are quite justified if the car drives onto loose soil or snow and moves confidently. They cannot be used on asphalt and concrete roads.

Factory and homemade chains

Making a snow chain with your own hands often turns out to be a profitable and affordable business. After all, in stores the prices for them are “biting”. But there you can choose an option whose design will suit any motorist. If you have the necessary skills and tools, you can make wheel chains with your own hands. Coming up with a suitable design, purchasing materials and organizing production is not difficult. In this case, the DIY approach justifies itself.

In most cases, a simple device is created from steel chain links with a tensioning system. They are distributed evenly over the surface of the wheel outside and inside. Connect transverse parts, clinging to the road. Ignoring the uniform placement of parts makes anti-slip protection questionable and is fraught with rupture.

How to make snow chains with your own hands

Planning to make your own wheel chains passenger car or SUV, you need to purchase components for it. The main thing here is the chains. Better than Russian and European production. Finding them is not difficult. They are the guarantee that the design will be reliable. First of all, decide which version of the snow chain you will make yourself.

The simplest and most affordable design with chain crossbars around the entire circumference of the tire. But other geometric shapes of the crossbars are not excluded. They can be made in the form of a rhombus, hexagon, cross, etc. The dimensions are preliminarily determined and a simple drawing is made on paper. A mock-up of the product is made from cardboard or twine and placed on the tire.

This will help you understand how to make wheel chains with your own hands. You should take into account the experience of home-made workers who are confident that two transverse parts of the device are needed at the point of contact with the ground. It is also important to determine where to secure the links. DIY making wheel chains requires the preparation of their parts taking into account the geometry of the rubber.

To get started you need to have:

  • chain of the required length with a margin;
  • carabiners equipped with a wrap-around coupling;
  • tightening hooks;
  • tensioning mechanism;
  • fasteners for threaded connections.

The metal parts must be made of steel, and the links must be welded. For small cars, the thickness of the link rod is at least 5 mm. Check the prepared elements with the drawing and finally clarify where to attach them. The bus can serve as the basis for a layout.

Then proceed to preparatory work, which provide:

  • cutting blanks for longitudinal and transverse parts with a grinder;
  • securing the first transverse lug to the desired link of the longitudinal element;
  • using hooks and rings to connect subsequent cross members in predetermined places;
  • installation tensioning mechanism in the center of the longitudinal part.

Carry out this on a flat surface, constantly checking the drawing. After final inspection, production begins. For strength and convenience, it is worth abandoning connections with bolts. Welding significantly strengthens the product and makes it more convenient to use. The costs will be repaid by quality and reliability. The Internet contains many recommendations that help you figure out how to make chains for wheels with your own hands. In any case, they should be made slowly, specifying the dimensions at each stage and checking the correctness of the connections.

How to put chains on wheels


Self-made snow chains are tested on a car. To do this, the place where the inspection is planned must be prepared, and the rubber must be cleaned of dirt. They test in two ways. One involves the use of a jack, the other - without it. The advantage of using a jack is that the anti-skid equipment fits very tightly to the rubber. Before this operation begins, the vehicle is securely immobilized. After jacking up, the tire bleeds air. After installation, the pressure is restored.

In the second option, you need to lay out the chain on a flat surface in front of the wheels. A car drives into its middle and is secured with the handbrake. Putting on occurs in such a way that the tension mechanism with a hook and a carabiner are located on the outside of the wheel. Then a hook clings to the longitudinal element from the inside. The transverse parts are evenly distributed over the surface of the tire, after which tension and fixation are done.

When it is installed, you should drive a hundred meters. When you stop, check the tension around the entire circumference of the wheel and the reliability of the fastening. In any case, the tires must be equipped before it hits a difficult road. For comfortable use of homemade equipment, you need a cover made of waterproof material and gloves for work.